**From London Streets to Glastonbury Icon: The Remarkable Journey of Sir Rod Stewart**
At the age of 80, Sir Rod Stewart is poised to return to Glastonbury, securing a coveted guest slot on the festival’s Sunday afternoon. Set to take the stage at Worthy Farm, the singer’s forthcoming appearance marks another milestone in an extraordinary career that began with humble origins busking the streets of London.
Stewart’s anticipated Glastonbury set is generating buzz, particularly as it is expected to see him reunite with two legendary former Faces bandmates – Ronnie Wood, also of Rolling Stones fame, and drummer Kenney Jones. The trio’s potential onstage reunion is a powerful reminder of their formative years and enduring influence within British rock.
The genesis of Faces can be traced back to 1969 following the breakup of the Small Faces. Stewart and Wood joined keyboardist Ian McLagan, Jones, and bassist Ronnie Lane in a new ensemble that would go on to redefine the sound of its era. Their debut albums, “First Step” and “Long Player,” met with modest commercial success, but it was their 1971 release, “A Nod Is As Good As a Wink… To a Blind Horse,” that cemented their place in music history. The single “Stay With Me” climbed to number six on the UK charts, becoming a staple at Stewart’s live shows for decades.
Their fourth release, “Ooh La La” (1973), delivered another chart hit with “Cindy Incidentally.” Standalone releases including “Pool Hall Richard” and the lengthy-titled “You Can Make Me Dance, Sing or Anything (Even Take the Dog for a Walk, Mend a Fuse, Fold Away the Ironing Board, or Any Other Domestic Shortcomings)” further highlighted the group’s playful edge and musical dexterity. However, by 1975, Faces had disbanded, marking the end of an era.
During his tenure with Faces, Stewart’s solo career also flourished. Supported by his bandmates, he released several records which included seminal tracks like “Maggie May” and “You Wear It Well.” Despite the group parting ways, the friendships endured, leading to intermittent reunions – most recently at the Brit Awards in 2020. Speculation now swirls about a possible new Faces album on the horizon.
Long before achieving international fame, Stewart’s musical journey began on the bustling pavements of London, performing alongside folk guitarist Wizz Jones. He subsequently appeared in multiple bands throughout the 1960s and gained wider recognition as the frontman of The Jeff Beck Group. This period saw the release of the acclaimed albums “Truth” and “Beck-Ola.” Simultaneously, Stewart lent his vocals to other acts, such as the Australian group Python Lee Jackson on their track “In A Broken Dream.”
After the dissolution of Faces, Stewart turned his focus firmly towards his solo career, adopting a poppier sound with the critically acclaimed “Atlantic Crossing” in 1975. Hits like “Sailing” and his rendition of The Isley Brothers’ “This Old Heart Of Mine” enjoyed considerable chart success. Over the years, he has released a total of 32 solo studio albums, producing an array of number ones including “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?”, “Baby Jane” and his double A-side “I Don’t Want To Talk About It / The First Cut is the Deepest.”
In recent times, Stewart has continued to embrace new musical challenges. His 2024 release, “Swing Fever,” was a collaboration with pianist and presenter Jools Holland, and featured reinterpretations of big band classics such as “Frankie And Johnny” and “Pennies From Heaven.” Ahead of the album’s launch, the pair surprised commuters with an impromptu performance at St Pancras International station.
Looking ahead, Stewart has announced that he will be scaling back from large-scale touring after his 2025 run, which concludes at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in St Louis. Nonetheless, he has emphasised that retirement is not yet on the cards, aiming instead to perform in more intimate settings. This year, he celebrated his milestone 80th birthday with his family and was awarded a lifetime achievement accolade at the American Music Awards.
As he prepares to grace Glastonbury once again, attendees can anticipate a setlist blending beloved classics with Faces favourites. Fan speculation suggests favourites such as “Stay With Me,” “Maggie May,” “You Wear It Well,” and “Hot Legs” are likely to resound across Worthy Farm, with Stewart possibly choosing to focus on the formative years of his back catalogue in honour of his old bandmates.
This will not be Stewart’s first visit to Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage – he previously appeared in 2002, opening with “Handbags And Gladrags” and traversing an eclectic mix of his own hits and classic covers. More than fifty years since his rise to prominence, Sir Rod Stewart’s enduring appeal reflects a career defined by reinvention, resilience, and an evident passion for music that shows little sign of fading.